Description

Posters are printed placards, usually text and images, produced for posting in a public place, to be used for communication of information. They have long been produced, but it was only with the development of lithography that they were able to be produced easily and economically in color and in large quantities. This sort of poster became an important innovation and by the 1870s became an important means of advertising and promotion. By the 1890s, especially in France, posters became an important fine art medium, used for magazines, businesses, exhibitions and other events. Designed by an extensive group of artists in a wide variety of styles, posters became very much part of the aesthetic culture from the late nineteenth century to the present day.

This poster is from Outing Magazinefor its June 1895 “Special Bicycle Number.” These small posters were created by some of the best artists of the day and they would have been used by news agents to glue to the sides of their stands to advertise the issue in question. Their ephemeral nature makes them very rare.